When should you use your motorcycle's turn signals?

Using your motorcycle's turn signals before making a turn or lane change is essential for ensuring safety on the road. Indicating your intentions allows other road users, including drivers and pedestrians, to anticipate your actions, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents. Proper signaling is a fundamental part of defensive riding and demonstrates responsible behavior as a motorcyclist.

Signaling before a maneuver gives you a better chance to communicate effectively with other road users. It helps create a more predictable environment on the road, which is crucial for avoiding potential collisions. By making your intentions clear, you help maintain the flow of traffic and increase everyone’s safety.

In contrast, signaling only when other vehicles are nearby can lead to dangerous assumptions and increase the risk of misunderstanding intentions. Not using signals based on personal preference undermines the purpose of signaling altogether, which is to enhance communication between all road users. Furthermore, the idea that signals are optional misrepresents the importance of using them as part of safe riding practices.